That one says one thing and the other another. It is what they have contests for couples. But you have to agree. And that's where grace. "Discrepancies occur, of course. One of us thought it was 2007 and 2004 another thought," Jesus Barquin whispers while the jury from the stage reveals seven wines which have been tasting the 240 participants Vila Viniteca Tasting Award for couples. Attention to the level of controversy, "was unlikely to be 2006 or 2005 because it was a warm wine," he continues arguing Barquin, who is not afraid face expression of supine ignorance of his interlocutor. This man, Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Granada, is able to identify areas of origin, grape varieties, and to add a wine brand. So won last year's edition, held in Barcelona. "The trick is to locate: region grape ..." said one of the winners "We want to demystify the wine," said Quim Vila, the organizer Yesterday, however, was not his day. While the jury was uncorking bottles of Dom Perignon, Albariño, Riesling ... Barquín watched tasting mate, Victor Franco, economist, and shook his head. The third and knew that this would not even be among the 10 finalist couples. "Every year the level of the competitors", he observed. Among the 20 with the highest score, only one woman and many professional sommeliers. The winning couple, Jose Luis Alonso, distributor, and Angel Layos, unemployed sommelier, was the one that got the most points despite not nailing any wine. "The trick is to locate: region grape ..." explained Layos minutes after winning. The contest, made peculiar pairs consisted of tasting seven wines: two whites, three reds and two specials (cavas, champagnes, sherries, ports, etc.). Guess the country, a point, the area of ​​origin, a point, the name, a colon, the grape varieties, three points, the vintage, three points, the processor, three points mark, three points. If there is a tie, the jury appreciated the comment tasting. Final phase. One of the contestants buries nose in the glass. Aspira long. Raise your head. Look at your content, stir and smell it again. He ponders, as engrossed. Finally, it gives a good drink and liquid circulates throughout the oral cavity, which mouthwash. Apparently oblivious again, although a television camera you are recording less than one meter. With parsimony, and finally takes the pen scribbling a few lines on the sheet. Next came. Hour and a half until the contestants have to decide what those seven bowls containing anonymous dressed waiters will serve them diligently in the majestic Casino de Madrid. Many attendees are defined as amateurs, but they betray their professions: winemakers, distributors, winemakers ... The real professionals, they say, are the sommeliers. They themselves are accustomed to tasting wines, and are expected to do with the € 15,000 prize. "In my work I have no access to the end product," Consuelo apologizes Albarran, winemaker who works in a cooperage of Aranda de Duero and is part of one of the few female couples contest. The marriage of Antoni Pena Carme Casacuberta and claims not to have the slightest hope of winning. "We came to have fun," say a duet. "For fans, the competition is a fantastic opportunity, do the tasting of the year in a day," says Casacuberta, chemistry, winemaker and owner of a small winery (Vinyes d'Olivardots) in the Alt Empordà. For 100 euros per couple registration costs, seven wines are tasted the competition, but also those with free tasting over 30 wineries. Viniteca Vila also offers a buffet of cheeses selected by this nearly century-old deli and wines of the Born district in Barcelona, ​​which in turn is a distributor of wines for many restaurateurs locals and the rest of Spain. The award, which has four editions, is gaining participants every year, who come from all over Spain, France and England. Anyone can join. "We want everyone involved. Should be demystify wine, to take it is not necessary to make any master," said Quim Vila, owner of Vila Viniteca, founded by his grandfather in 1932. The competition aims to promote the culture of wine, according to its developer. "We are one of the largest wine producers in Europe, but it turns out we drink less wine than any other country," he laments. Is it because it's an expensive hobby? "There are very good wines for three or four euros" replies Vila. "Going to the movies costs more".